Cannot find electricity meter in student flat

Eriberri

Hi everyone 

Seeking advice as to what to do here! Daughter picked up keys for student studio flat, which is in a Georgian town house. The gas meters are in the basement. I have no idea where the electricity meter is, and I’ve hunted everywhere. I know the location in the other flats, but not for my daughter’s! 

I have the final bill from the previous tenant (it was just addressed to Owner), and the tenant has been paying quarterly cash, on estimated readings. Looks like he was paying c.£100 a month (in a *studio* flat!). Extortion!! 

I’ve been on to the letting agent, and been passed around a bit - they said they’d contact the landlord. Spoke to someone today, who said that the landlord wouldn’t know, and that they (as agents) have never been involved with the bills. They said to contact the provider the previous tenant used. I contacted the provider. They said it’s nothing to do with them, that they can’t send people out to search homes for a meter, and it’s legally the landlord’s responsibility. 

I’ll be back on to the letting agent again tomorrow, but was wondering if any of you lovely experts would have some advise or know where my daughter stands with this. I’m not having her pay that much, and certainly not on estimated readings because no one seems to know where the meter is. 

Any help or ideas will be gratefully received 💕

Mstty

What date did the final tenant move out? As the landlord will have been responsible for bills between then and when your daughter has moved in.

I would suggest to the letting agent that you cannot take charge of the electricity in the flat until the meter is located and that the landlord will be responsible until they can provide a start read for your daughter's tenancy.

Put the pressure back firmly on the letting agents and landlord.

Eriberri

Thank you for replying and the advice. Final bill is dated 29 June, and the balance is zero - fully paid up. Daughter’s tenancy starts from 1st July. Student lets here tend to work on them ending on 30th June, and then starting on 1st July. She’s not moved in yet (it’s local, so she can get away with taking her time!). 

Staffordian11

Was the closing reading on the final bill estimated?

If so, then a zero balance doesn't mean much.

Eriberri

Yep - estimated on the start and end reading for the quarter 

tacpot12

Have you found where electricity comes into the building yet?

theoretica

Can you borrow one of those things for finding wires in walls?  It might be worth trying to get an idea of any unexpected cables.

Eriberri

Nope, and confess I’ve not looked for that. Her flat is on the 2nd floor. 

karatepet

Have you checked on other floors.I live in a block of flats and my meter is 2 floors up.

Eriberri

Yea, looked on the landings in between floors. There’s sort of cupboards, but they don’t have doors that you can open. So on the landing floor just below her flat, I’ve spotted a stop !!!!!!, for example. Might investigate those further next time I go over! 

karatepet

Are you sure you cant open them,usually a triangle shaped key.I have the main electricity box outside my flat,and then there is 4 cupboards 2 floors up with meters for 4 flats and then 2 floors up there is another 2 cupboards with meters.